A Bioinspired, Low-Cost Device for Minimally Invasive Blood Sampling

Blood testing forms the basis of about 70% of medical decisions, including disease diagnosis and monitoring. Traditional methods of blood sampling such as venipuncture allow the collection of high volumes of blood samples; however, this is an invasive and distressing procedure for children. Additionally, it is a relatively expensive procedure due to the requirement for healthcare specialists and the amount of biohazard waste produced, limiting its implementation in LMICs.

To overcome these limitations, this research consortium developed and tested a novel open-source, cost-effective and user-friendly device to extract and store small volumes of blood, sufficient for diagnosis within minutes. Inspired by the anatomy of sanguivorous leeches, the researchers designed a medical device including a silicone capsule with minuscule stainless-steel needles to puncture the skin and a storage compartment containing anticoagulants to prevent blood clotting. Its operation is simple and does not require trained healthcare staff, rendering it suitable for resource-constrained settings. While further studies are required to validate its use in humans, this device opens the door for globally accessible and patient-oriented blood sampling.